The Nigerian Advertising Regulatory board, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has sued Meta, owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp platforms, and its agent AT3 Resources Limited for showing unapproved advertisements to the Nigerian audience and loss of revenue.
According to the regulatory body in the suit filed at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court, “the continued publication and exposure of various advertisements directed at the Nigerian market through Facebook and Instagram platforms by Meta Platforms Incorporated without ensuring same is vetted and approved before exposure is illegal, unlawful and a violation of the extant advertising Law in Nigeria”.
ARCON is seeking 30billion Naira (about $50 million)) in sanction for the violation of the advertising laws and for loss of revenue.
The statement further reads that “ARCON reiterates that it would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising on Nigeria’s advertising space.”
“ARCON further states that it is not regulating the online media space but rather advertising and marketing communications on the online platforms in line with its establishment Act.”
As at the time of this report, neither AT3 Resources nor Meta has made any official statement
